Personal Support Worker

Personal Support Worker (PSW) Northwest Indiana

Department: Indiana Services Department
Status: Full-time and Part-time

At Sertoma Star Services, we're on a mission to empower individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives. With a strategic presence in South Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we proudly serve over 2,000 consumers through a diverse range of vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential programs.
Sertoma Star Services’ roots trace back to the merger of two dynamic social services organizations, New Star and Sertoma Centre combining over 125 years of expertise in providing cutting‑edge, person‑first services. Our united commitment is straightforward: to transform lives through delivering comprehensive services, choices, and opportunities to those we support in an environment that promotes self‑advocacy and personal success.
By joining the Sertoma Star Team you will have a unique opportunity to challenge limits and change lives. Together, we can shape a brighter future for those we serve.

As a Personal Support Worker (PSW), you will provide support and supervision to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the community‑based setting. You will be responsible for providing person‑centered supports to ensure consumers can live their best life in their home and community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, although other duties may be assigned to meet Agency and family needs:

• Communicates well with consumers, using their preferred form of communication, to determine their likes, interests, strengths, wants and needs.
• Treats consumers with dignity and respect, while providing them with the support needed to become as independent as possible.
• Provides support to consumers to obtain outcomes that will allow them to live their best lives possible as documented in their Person‑Centered Individual Service Plan.
• Provides training and assistance to consumers by completing tasks with the consumer instead of for the consumer.
• Advocates for consumers’ wants and needs and helps them advocate for themselves, as requested.
• Supports consumers to participate fully in their community.
• Promotes community inclusion by assisting consumers in developing natural supports.
• Allows consumers to make choices throughout their daily life by providing opportunities and encouragement to learn problem‑solving skills and take responsibility for choices.
• Assesses and plans for risks to allow consumers to make informed choices when taking risks to participate in new experiences.
• Protects the rights of consumers by understanding their rights, educating them on their rights, and ensuring their rights are not violated.
• Documents all supports provided in a timely manner to include, but not limited to, daily progress notes, incident reports, and injury/illness reports.
• Works cooperatively with all staff, outside providers, and family members/guardians to ensure high quality services.
• Follows all agency Policies and Procedures.

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively work with coworkers and consumers
• Knowledge of working with individuals with disabilities
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices
• High School Diploma preferred
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and meet agency driving requirements when required to provide transportation
• Generous paid time off
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
• Employer Paid Insurance:
  Basic Life/AD&D and Long‑Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) with company match
• Tuition assistance
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Reimbursement for conferences and seminars
• Access to the Alsip Park District Fitness Center for $10.00 per month

New Star is an equal opportunity employer that embraces the uniqueness of every person. New Star understands that in order for you to work effectively and be an advocate of inclusivity, we must foster an environment that is respectful and sensitive to persons of all gender identities and from every cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial background. Our open‑door, team‑building concept supports both agency goals and employee success.